Abstract:

In August of 2014, an official partnership formed between two national non-profit organizations that serve people with disabilities: Best Buddies International and The Ability Experience. The Ability Experience is owned and operated by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Since both Best Buddies and Pi Kappa Phi are collegiate student organizations, the success of this partnership is dependent upon the actions of individual universities. Using Ball State University as part of their "pilot program," the headquarters looked to this university to measure the success of the national partnership on a local level. The researcher examined documents, conducted personal correspondence with headquarters staff, and completed nine interviews with members from Best Buddies, Pi Kappa Phi, and an off-campus non-profit organization that serves as the host and provider of clients for both organizations. The author divided the data into four main categories: Benefits, Weaknesses, Personal Perceptions, and Knowledge of the Partnership. This case study provides some of the first insight into the success, failures, and impressions of this partnership. This study concludes by discussing the "triangularity" of this relationship and ways that it can be improved moving forward.